The Details

Sneakers were just the beginning. That’s what Feature’s slick new space screams, with its hidden dressing room and armory of Cazal sunglasses and couture jewelry from the Vintage Frames Company. Copenhagen’s Norse Projects to LA’s Stampd, the clothing brands are as diversely fresh as the signature footwear.

“We’re bringing in Del Toro; we’re bringing in Cole Haan; we’re bringing in Versace, so we’re making some moves,” says EJ Luera, who founded Feature Sneaker Boutique with Ajay Bouri, Aaron White (aka DJ Ikon) and Keith Iavazzi just two and a half years ago. “We really thought it was just gonna be a hobby, like a side project. And it blew up.”

Exclusive accounts to limited-edition collabs, inventory moves fast. So does the shop’s credibility (hence the remodel and impending ecommerce site). The vision is expanding, but footwear is still the heart. “If you break down a shoe that’s really, really dope to you, you fall in love with it,” Luera says. At Feature, that dopeness has drawn celeb clients from Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler to hip-hop artists 2 Chainz, Bun B and Taboo.

Luera says a few weeks ago Supra flew the Feature crew to the launch of Lil Wayne’s new sneaker in Miami. “They flew out every top boutique in the world, and they added us to that list,” he says, still blown away that they were in the same room with innovators they look up to. “But we’re all just young dudes doing the same thing, all a little eclectic, eccentric, cool. You can see why a brand like New Balance wants to pair up with Crooked Tongues or Foot Patrol and, hopefully, Feature. It’s just a matter of time before you see that Feature collab. It’s just a matter of time.”

He says knowing what will be hot takes foresight, good hunches and a little luck (and maybe a little Instagram). Feature has it all. In the words of one customer: “Y’all killin’ it.”

Pump Omni Lite by Reebok

Dee Brown crushed the NBA’s dunk contest in ’92, and he did it wearing Omni Lites. The classic gets mod with saturated blue leather and mesh. Go ahead—push the button. $125

Yacht Club 574 by New Balance

Diva pink and crisp white on juicy watermelon suede make a fresh summer look that’s built to last. Spend a little more on your 574s and you can customize. $75

Strayhorn by Clae

Funky but so clean, this silhouette is all about sophisticated punch. From vegan-leather heel accents to electric-yellow top eyelets, the details make the statement. $100

Alexander McQueen Rabble by Puma

Everything from weaving motifs to gritty landscapes inspired the riff on “poor man’s royalty” in this special collab. Cuff those pants and let the badness show. $175

Urban Nomad III (high) by MCM

The price is high, but so is the impact. Bold shade and textures to clever side-zip, the elegant styling speaks for the iconic metal logo on the tongue. $500